Patient Guide
Key Information for Your Stay
After-Hospital Care
After-Hospital Care
After-hospital care that fits your needs is important. Make sure you understand what your hospital staff recommends for you. After-care options include:
Home Care—Care provided by professionals in your home to help maintain or restore health. Can include: home care services such as housekeeping and meal preparation; personal care services such as bathing, dressing or eating; and health care services such as physical therapy or skilled nursing. Visit Home Care
for more information.
Independent Living—Communities with individual, private apartments or homes. Can include: meals, housekeeping, maintenance, social activities and possibly transportation. Health care services like skilled nursing usually are not standard. Visit Independent Living
for more information.
Assisted Living—Individual units or apartments, usually in a long-term care facility. Can include: home and personal care services, as well as help managing health conditions and medicine routines—plus social activities and transportation. Staff is on-site 24 hours. Visit Assisted Care
for more information.
Nursing Home—Long-term care facility for those who don’t need a hospital, but can’t be cared for at home. Can include: all daily living and personal care services, 24-hour skilled nursing care, plus social activities and events. Special units often available for people with Alzheimer’s disease or memory loss. Visit Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Care
for more information.
Hospice—Care program that provides support for terminally ill patients and families in hospitals, facilities or private homes. Can include: 24-hour help with pain control, symptom management and emotional or spiritual support. Visit Hospice & Palliative Care
for more information.
To get started evaluating or finding after-hospital care resources in your area, visit:
- Eldercare Locator: eldercare.acl.gov
- National Respite Network and Resource Center: www.archrespite.org
You also can talk to your case manager or social worker for help finding the right after-hospital care.
Check Your Coverage
Contact your health insurance, Medicare or Medicaid to find out what care and services are covered for you, and to get help with costs.